Facebook Linkedin Youtube
Home Blog Page 7

NZ-AU: Global Clean Energy Surges Ahead as Breakthrough Technologies and New ESG Rules Redefine the Path to Net Zero

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

San Francisco, Oct. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SAN FRANCISCO, CA October 09, 2025 – –

A sweeping wave of technological breakthroughs and regulatory shifts is accelerating the global energy transition, reshaping how governments, investors, and industries are approaching decarbonization and sustainability. New intelligence from EarlyBirds highlights how rapid advancements in renewable energy and storage technologies, combined with tightening environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks, are setting the pace for the next decade of climate and industrial transformation.

From the deployment of hydrogen transport and large-scale battery systems to the expansion of space-based solar power and the resurgence of carbon pricing policies, momentum across the energy ecosystem suggests that the long-anticipated convergence of innovation, investment, and regulation is finally taking form. The developments observed during the first week of October 2025 paint a picture of a world moving swiftly toward technological maturity in renewable systems, even as it faces the policy and market complexities of scaling them.

In Norway, a country long regarded as a global leader in electric vehicle adoption, new advances in nationwide charging infrastructure are providing a benchmark for seamless integration between mobility systems and renewable energy grids. The country’s model demonstrates how well-planned infrastructure can accelerate decarbonization in transport while strengthening energy resilience. In the storage domain, Sineng Electric’s turnkey battery systems are emerging as vital tools for stabilizing renewable energy supply, enabling diverse applications ranging from grid-scale deployment to localized microgrid support. The commissioning of Europe’s largest battery energy storage system, a 200 MW installation by ENGIE and Sungrow in Belgium, underscores how storage technology has evolved from experimental pilot projects into a mature and bankable asset class supporting the continent’s renewable integration goals.

Hydrogen continues to gain prominence as both an industrial feedstock and a scalable clean fuel. Duke Energy’s launch of the United States’ first fully integrated green hydrogen system in Florida represents a landmark project that combines production, storage, and power generation. The initiative demonstrates the viability of hydrogen as a dispatchable energy source capable of reinforcing grid stability and reducing dependence on fossil generation. In Asia, Isuzu and Toyota’s deployment of hydrogen buses marks a decisive moment in clean public transportation, while new hydrogen refueling infrastructure in North America is addressing one of the sector’s most persistent adoption barriers.

Complementing hydrogen’s rise, innovation in geothermal energy is proving that renewable baseload power can be both reliable and cost-efficient. XGS Energy’s 3,000-hour geothermal trial in California achieved sustained output and seamless grid integration, suggesting that geothermal energy could play a much larger role in the global energy mix. Hybrid projects that combine hydrogen, geothermal, and battery storage, such as those now being built in the western United States, point to an era of complementary renewable ecosystems that work together to meet round-the-clock demand.

Solar technology, meanwhile, is pushing into new frontiers. Scientists from the University of Delaware and Taizhou University recently shattered the long-standing efficiency ceiling for silicon solar cells, achieving conversion rates above 50 percent. This leap could dramatically lower the cost of solar energy and double the output from the same surface area. Japan’s national investment program in ultra-thin perovskite cells, alongside Namibia’s approval of a 3 gigawatt solar and hydrogen complex, underscores how major economies are turning laboratory breakthroughs into industrial-scale programs. Beyond Earth, the first commercial collaborations in space-based solar power, led by Space Solar, Thales Alenia Space, and Aetherflux, are exploring continuous orbital energy collection and laser transmission to Earth. If proven viable, such systems could eliminate the intermittency challenge entirely and redefine the logistics of global energy distribution.

On the investment front, capital deployment into clean energy and storage assets continues to climb, signaling growing market confidence in the economics of decarbonization. A $700 million joint venture between Larsen & Toubro and ACWA Power in Uzbekistan is set to deliver 1 gigawatt of combined solar generation and storage capacity, establishing Central Asia as a new player in renewable expansion. In Australia, ACCIONA’s $140 million acquisition of the East Rockingham Waste-to-Energy facility reinforces the circular economy trend, turning waste streams into valuable energy resources. In the United States, Enlight Renewable Energy’s $340 million Roadrunner solar and storage project near Tucson is backed by tax equity investors, reflecting the increasing alignment between sustainable finance and infrastructure growth. Even smaller firms such as Vivakor, investing $23 million in clean energy technologies, illustrate how diversified capital participation is sustaining sectoral momentum across scales.

While innovation accelerates, the regulatory landscape is tightening. Governments are now moving beyond voluntary ESG reporting toward binding climate compliance. Australia’s proposal to reintroduce carbon pricing and impose a tax on coal exports represents a decisive return to fiscal mechanisms for emission control. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to phase out organics from landfills by 2040 is a significant measure against methane emissions and a potential catalyst for a new generation of circular waste solutions. Internationally, the International Maritime Organization’s forthcoming Net-Zero Framework will impose new emissions targets across global shipping, reshaping fuel supply chains and vessel design strategies. Europe’s environmental authorities have also renewed calls for deeper decarbonization, signaling stricter oversight of corporate climate disclosures and carbon accounting.

Together, these developments define a global inflection point in sustainability. Technological innovation is meeting regulatory ambition in a way that transforms compliance from an administrative function into a competitive advantage. Organizations able to anticipate policy changes and integrate advanced technologies — from AI-driven energy optimization to next-generation battery chemistries — will be best positioned to capture emerging markets and investor confidence. Conversely, industries slow to adapt face escalating operational costs, supply chain disruptions, and reputational risks as regulators and consumers demand measurable environmental progress.

According to EarlyBirds‘ analysts, the synergy between innovation and regulation will increasingly determine leadership in the energy transition. Nations and companies that align research, industrial deployment, and policy coherence are poised to dominate the green economy. As renewable systems become more efficient and interconnected, the boundaries between compliance, investment, and innovation are dissolving, creating a new ecosystem where technological agility equals resilience.

The first week of October 2025 encapsulates this transformation: governments tightening environmental policy, investors scaling clean energy commitments, and innovators surpassing long-held scientific limits. Together, these forces are rewriting the fundamentals of global energy economics. What was once a fragmented movement of isolated technologies and climate pledges is now coalescing into a unified, data-driven transition. The result is a race not just to decarbonize, but to reinvent how the world powers its future — continuously, sustainably, and intelligently.

###

For more information about EarlyBirds, contact the company here:

EarlyBirds
Mr Kris Poria
support@earlybirds.io
EarlyBirds USA Inc., 548 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94104 USA

– Published by The MIL Network

allnex to launch its European Defense Materials Program

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: Media Outreach

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – allnex is taking a bold leap forward with the launch of its European Defense Materials Program. This initiative is designed to accelerate innovation and support Europe’s ambition for greater strategic autonomy in defense.

Europe’s defense sector is facing urgent challenges. New solutions must be developed faster, built to last longer, and perform reliably in the harshest environments. Leveraging allnex resin technology, the program focuses on boosting productivity in structural composite manufacturing and accelerating in-field repairs to ensure a rapid return to service. Meeting these demands calls for fresh thinking, stronger partnerships, and advanced materials that set a new industry standard.

“At allnex, we’re not entering this program with a list of ready-made solutions,” said Mirko Schnitzler, EVP EMEA. “We come with open ears and open minds. Our ambition is to work side by side with customers and partners across the value chain, uncover the roadblocks that hold back progress, and mobilize our best people to create answers together. If there are bottlenecks, we’ll break them. If there are barriers, we’ll remove them. Because only by rethinking the way we collaborate can we set new standards for the future of defense materials.”

A key part of this approach is exploring the advantages of high-speed curing technologies such as EBECRYL® and Radcure® UV/EB curing and AcureTM, which can dramatically accelerate production and repair cycles. In parallel, allnex is developing resin solutions that address critical defense requirements—from stealth and corrosion protection to high heat and chemical resistance. These innovations are built to extend the service life of next-generation solutions, reduce repair and production times, and ultimately deliver greater military performance and readiness.

“While the European chemical industry faces challenges, demand for a more self-sufficient defense ecosystem in Europe is creating strong momentum,” said Cedric D’Hulst, Marketing Director EMEA. “This momentum is driving a surge in demand for advanced defense materials and innovative coating solutions. With solid investments flowing into defense R&D and plant upgrades, the need for high-performance resin systems is growing rapidly. allnex has launched this program not only to meet this demand, but to lead innovation in industrial resin systems that will enable the next generation of defense solutions.”

With the launch of the European Defense Materials Program, allnex is making its position clear. The company is ready to listen, collaborate, and deliver breakthrough technologies that will shape the future of European defense. Now is the time to forge the partnerships and innovations that will secure Europe’s strength for decades to come.

Hashtag: #allnex

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

NZ-AU: BRE and Carester sign 10-year Heavy Rare Earth Offtake and Partnership to deliver BRE’s Rare Earth Separation Plant

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

  • Long-term strategic partnership: Carester is a leading global rare earth processing specialist having played key roles in the design, commissioning and optimisation of rare earth production plants worldwide.
  • Binding 10-year heavy rare earth offtake agreement: Carester to purchase heavy rare earth feedstocks from BRE for an initial 10-year term. Supply offtake agreement will support up to 150 tpa of separated dysprosium and terbium (DyTb) oxide production at Caremag, Carester’s plant.
  • Caremag heavy rare earth supply chain: Carester is building one of the world’s largest heavy rare earth separation and recycling plants via its Caremag subsidiary, in Lacq, France. Caremag is backed by the French Government and Japanese partners (JOGMEC/Iwatani) and is targeting late-2026 operations. This leading rare earth production facility is expected to produce ~600 tpa of strategically vital heavy rare earth DyTb oxides at steady state operations.
  • Engineering and technical services agreement: Carester will provide engineering, construction and commissioning services for BRE’s planned integrated rare earth separation plant at the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex in Bahia.

SYDNEY, Oct. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: BRE / OTCQX: BRELY) (‘BRE’) has executed strategic agreements with Carester SAS (Carester), a leading western rare earth processing specialist, for the supply of heavy rare earth feedstocks and to provide engineering and technical services for BRE’s planned integrated rare earths separation refinery at the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex in Bahia.

These agreements underpin BRE’s strategy to establish Brazil as a leading hub for rare earth production, supplying high-value neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, heavy rare earth concentrate (SEG+), separated dysprosium and terbium oxides and uranium. BRE has signed a binding 10-year heavy rare earth supply offtake with Carester that will underpin high-value DyTb oxide separation at the Caremag plant in France. 

Carester is renowned for its expertise in rare earth processing technologies, having played key roles in the design, commissioning and optimisation of advanced rare earth separation facilities worldwide. Carester’s leading engineering and technical specialists will support the design, construction and commissioning of BRE’s planned rare earth separation plant in Brazil. This planned integrated rare earth production facility will be designed to process high-grade feedstock from BRE’s Monte Alto Rare Earths Project, one of the highest-grade rare earth deposits in the world with exceptional grades of heavy rare earths DyTb, NdPr, niobium, scandium, tantalum and uranium. 

BRE’s Managing Director & CEO, Bernardo da Veiga:

“This strategic partnership with Carester validates our strategy: accelerate the development of our high-grade Brazilian rare earth assets, focus on heavy rare earths DyTb where global supply is short, partner with recognised global leaders like Carester to establish Brazil as a leading global hub for rare earth production. Teaming with Carester gives us the technical depth and downstream capacity to rapidly convert our ultra- high-grade Brazilian rare earths into the vital products customers need.”

Carester President, Frédéric Carencotte:

“The world-class Rocha da Rocha Rare Earth Province stands out for excellent rare earth enrichment; paired with our Caremag rare earth separation and recycling facility in France, we intend to add a secure rare earth supply chain to produce heavy rare earth DyTb oxides for high-performance permanent magnets.”

BRE’s Monte Alto Project: High-Grade Heavy Rare Earths

This BRE and Carester partnership targets heavy rare earths to address the critical market shortage in dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) – essential for high-performance permanent magnets. Within BRE’s Rocha da Rocha Rare Earth Province, the flagship Monte Alto Rare Earth Project hosts high grade, heavy rare earth-rich mineralisation alongside world-leading grades of NdPr, niobium, scandium, tantalum and uranium. Extensive drilling and metallurgical test work support a pathway for the potential low-cost, high-recovery production of critical minerals and positions Monte Alto as the preferred heavy rare earth feedstock for Carester’s new rare earth separation facility in France.

Long-term Heavy Rare Earths Offtake Agreement

BRE’s strategy is to initially produce separated NdPr oxide, heavy rare earth concentrate and uranium yellowcake from an integrated rare earth separation refinery at the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex (~260km northeast of Monte Alto). Under a binding Offtake Agreement, Carester will purchase heavy rare earth concentrate at market-linked prices, up to a maximum of 150 tpa of contained DyTb over an initial 10-year term.

BRE’s planned rare earth separation plant at the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex

Carester plans to process BRE’s heavy rare earth concentrate to produce separated heavy rare earth dysprosium and terbium oxides at its Caremag facility located in France. This leading rare earth separation and recycling facility is scheduled to commence operations in late-2026, with funding support from the French Government, the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Iwatani Corporation, a leading Japanese industrials and advanced materials company. With a nameplate production capacity of ~600 tpa of dysprosium and terbium oxides, Caremag is set to become the largest separator of heavy rare earth oxides in the western world with ~15% of current global production capacity.

Caremag Facility, one of the world’s largest heavy rare earth separation plants, and groundbreaking ceremony with JOGMEC in March 2025 (inset)

Engineering & Technical Services Agreement

To accelerate development of BRE’s planned rare earth refinery in Brazil, Carester and BRE have executed a long-term Engineering & Technical Services Agreement, complementing the heavy rare earth Offtake Agreement. Carester will assist with specialised front-end engineering, process design, commissioning support, and ramp-up and optimisation. The agreement runs through December 2031, underscoring a shared commitment from construction into steady-state operations and future capacity expansions. In parallel, Carester’s purchase of heavy rare earth concentrate under the offtake tightly aligns technical execution with downstream customer demand.

About Carester

Carester SAS is a leading rare earth refining and process-engineering company founded in 2019 by Frédéric Carencotte and a team of highly experienced international experts. Carester’s strengths include process design, environmental performance, and closed-loop magnet recycling, and has over 250 years of combined rare earth experience. Carester is building Caremag in Lacq, southwest France, a large-scale rare earth separation and recycling plant supported by over €216 million of funding from Japanese partners JOGMEC/Iwatani and the French Government, with first production expected late 2026.

About Brazilian Rare Earths

Brazilian Rare Earths is developing a world-class critical minerals province in Bahia, Brazil, and aims to be a leading rare earth and critical minerals company. Our flagship Monte Alto Rare Earths Project is among the highest-grade rare earth deposits in the world, enriched with heavy rare earths and with niobium, scandium, tantalum and uranium. Our world-class critical minerals province hosts the rare earths and minerals vital for advanced industries, including electric vehicles, robotics, energy systems, medical technologies and defence applications.

The complete news release can be found here.

Contacts

Bernardo Da Veiga, Managing Director and CEO

investors@brazilianrareearths.com
www.brazilianrareearths.com

Sign up to our investor hub at investors.brazilianrareearths.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f6633182-9d1a-40ce-a2e4-f908f57ba8a2

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8be571f4-82b3-4235-8d0f-81e4be9711f9

– Published by The MIL Network

Jiashi, the County with a Touch of Sweetness

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: Media Outreach

JIASHI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – China Prune Industry Conference 2025 and the 10th Kashgar·Jiashi Prune Expo, Xinjiang kicked off On August in Jiashi County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In recent years, Jiashi has become China’s largest plum producer.The county boasts 38,000 hectares of plum orchards with an expected output of 410,000 metric tons this year, and attracted 25 enterprises to produce 22 types of plum-based products, including juice, dried fruit, wine, and jam.

Blessed with abundant sunlight and trace elements such as calcium, potassium, and selenium in both soil and water, the region offers an ideal environment for growing plums. As a result, the plums are rich in anthocyanins and vitamins, which provide antioxidant and digestive benefits—making them highly popular among consumers.

Fresh plums and orther fruits in Jiashi county, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Located in the Kashgar Prefecture, Jiashi County enjoys an average of 2,800 hours of sunshine annually, with a daily temperature difference of up to 20 degrees Celsius. The soil here is mildly alkaline and rich in selenium. The extreme temperature variations, prolonged sunlight, and excellent soil conditions make this area renowned as China’s “Land of Melons and Fruits.”

Melons have been cultivated here since the Han dynasty, more than two millennia ago. Today Jiashi’s melons come in 28 varieties, all of exceptional quality. Each one is honey-sweet, incredibly delicious, and leaves a lasting, memorable taste. They offers not just a pleasure for the palate but a balm for the soul, and are hailed as “the finest melon under heaven”.

Sweetness has become the signature flavor of Jiashi County. Yet this sweetness is not merely a natural gift to the palate, it is also a symbolic expression of the local people’s warm hospitality and simple, sincere way of life.

Today, Jiashi’s plum and melons are making their way across the country and beyond to overseas markets. As a historic hub along the ancient Silk Road, Jiashi is now experiencing renewed vitality in economic, trade and cultural exchanges und

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Green GSM and Xentro Group collaborate to promote all-electric ride-hailing across the Philippines

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: Media Outreach

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – Green GSM, the all-electric ride-hailing brand under the GSM ecosystem, has signed a memorandum of understanding withAMRC Renewable Corporation/Xentro Motors, a subsidiary of the Philippine-based Xentro Group of Companies, for the supply of 2,000 VinFast electric vehicles to support future operations under the Green GSM platform. The collaboration supports the Philippines’ transition to cleaner and more inclusive mobility, reflecting both companies’ shared commitment to sustainability and community impact.

Representatives of the Vietnamese government, Philippine local authorities, GSM, and Xentro Group at the MOU signing ceremony on the supply of 2,000 VinFast EVs to operate the Green Xentro fleet.

Under the MOU, Green GSM will supply 2,000 VinFast Nerio Green electric vehicles to AMRC Renewable Corp/Xentro Motors. The first 1,000 units have already been secured, with the remaining to be delivered within two years. The fleet will operate under the co-branding “Green Xentro powered by Green GSM” across Metro Manila and key urban centers, following the completion of all necessary regulatory and accreditation processes.

The Green Xentro fleet will showcase Green GSM’s signature cyan color and follow eco-friendly standards, similar to those used in other markets. Known for their quiet operation, zero tailpipe emissions, and comfortable interiors, VinFast electric vehicles aim to offer passengers a cleaner and more enjoyable ride.

Green GSM, which began deploying its all-electric ride-hailing service in the Philippines earlier this year, is developing a partner-based operational approach to increase EV adoption while fully complying with local regulations. AMRC Renewable Corp/Xentro Motors viewed this collaboration as an opportunity to contribute to the country’s growing sustainable transportation movement. Once all approvals are secured, the fleet will begin operations under the Green GSM platform.

Through this partnership, Xentro Motors will also utilize its nationwide Xentro Malls network to offer accessible pick-up zones, EV charging stations, and parking areas, improving convenience for passengers and drivers. This initiative supports the group’s broader goal of incorporating sustainability into its retail and property ecosystem.

The partnership will also benefit from VinFast’s service ecosystem, which includes fleet maintenance, charging infrastructure, and driver support, strengthening Xentro’s collaboration with the Vietnamese automaker.

“We are honored to partner with Green GSM in bringing all-electric ride-hailing closer to Filipino communities,” said Mr. Noel M. Ignacio, CEO of Xentro Motors. “This collaboration reflects our belief that sustainability and progress can go hand in hand. By integrating electric mobility into our ecosystem, we aim to support the country’s long-term transport modernization goals and enhance daily commutes for users.”

“This partnership with Xentro Motors marks another important step in our regional journey,” said Mr. Dao Quy Phi, Managing Director of Green GSM Southest Asia. “Green GSM always welcomes and creates favorable conditions for local businesses to collaborate on the GSM platform. Across the countries where GSM operates, we have successfully partnered with and supported more than 100 enterprises in building sustainable business models within the electric mobility ecosystem. Xentro is the first of such valued partners in the Philippines, and we believe this cooperation will set a positive example for future collaborations. Our mission remains clear, to work alongside partners who share the same vision for cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive mobility, because when communities and businesses move together, everyone benefits”.

The collaboration represents a shared belief that meaningful change in mobility begins with collective effort. By combining Green GSM’s expertise in electric ride-hailing with Xentro Motors’ strong local network, the two companies aim to make sustainable transport accessible to more Filipinos and to inspire a growing movement toward cleaner, smarter everyday journeys.

https://www.greengsm.ph/

Hashtag: #GSM

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Household saving increases in the June 2025 quarter – National accounts (income, saving, assets, and liabilities): June 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

MIL OSI

2026 funding policy settings changes

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 9 October 2025

The Minister of Education, Minister for Vocational Education and Minister for Universities have issued the 2026 funding determinations.

These funding determinations will come into effect from 1 January 2026. Changes arising from the determinations will be reflected in the 2026 Funding Conditions Catalogue, which will be published in November.
General changes across funding determinations

Included an alternative clause for organisations eligible for funding (ie, polytechnics and Industry Skills Boards), noting that this alternative will come into effect if the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill is enacted before 1 January 2026.
Made minor and technical updates, including:

updates to terminology and standardisation of terms used
minor corrections to align with current policy and practice
clarifying existing clauses or adding detail to clarify policy intent, and
improving the consistency of similar clauses across different determinations.

Funding determinations and changes
Adult and Community Education (ACE)

Updated funding rates.
Clarified that there is a six-hour minimum requirement for ACE provision in state schools, state integrated schools and charter schools.
Added a new clause allowing synchronous online delivery where this is in the best interest of the learner/s.
Added “enabling access to education and the TEO’s capability to deliver effectively” as a consideration for online synchronous delivery.
Clarified that TEC approvals for asynchronous delivery are valid for multiple years unless revoked.
Added the ability for the TEC to revoke approval for asynchronous delivery.

Delivery at Levels 1 and 2 on the NZQCF

Updated funding rates.
Clarified that programmes may be delivered asynchronously, with prior written approval from the TEC.
Added a clause to allow overseas learners to be funded if “the learner is studying in a Realm country (namely, Tokelau, the Cook Islands, or Niue) in 2026 and is enrolled in a programme that was funded under this funding mechanism in 2025 or earlier”.

Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the NZQCF and all industry training

Updated funding rates.
Updated the definition of one EFTS unit for work-based learning.
Removed clauses relating to Standard Training Measure (STM).
Replaced reference to “Funded STMs” with “Funded EFTS” next to the funding formula.
Aligned fund purpose with other delivery funding determinations (no policy change is intended).
Clarified requirement to embed literacy and numeracy as part of work-based mode delivery at Level 3.
Simplified references to priorities and expectations for Learner Component funding.
Within the Learner Component, removed Māori and Pacific learners as an eligible learner category, in accordance with a Cabinet decision to “remove Māori and Pacific learners as a category for Learner Component funding and reinvest this funding into provider-based delivery funding rates” [CAB-25-MIN-0085.01].
Removed paragraphs relating to specific performance expectations for Learner Component funding.
Removed references to the “work-based: pathway to work” mode of delivery.
Removed paragraphs relating to the first-year Fees Free scheme and conditions no longer necessary for the administration of Fees Free.
Set the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) rate at 6 percent.
Added Mathematics as a new delivery classification.
Added a clause to allow overseas learners to be funded if “the learner is studying in a Realm country (namely, Tokelau, the Cook Islands, or Niue) in 2026 and is enrolled in a programme that was funded under this funding mechanism in 2025 or earlier”.

Delivery at Levels 7 (degree) to 10 on the NZQCF

Updated funding rates.
Updated the cap for the medical undergraduate year 1 intake.
Removed paragraphs relating to the first-year Fees Free scheme and conditions no longer necessary for the administration of Fees Free.
Set the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) rate at 6 percent.
Added Mathematics as a new delivery classification.
Added Mathematics as a funding category to implement the targeted cost adjustment to Mathematics provision.
Added a clause to allow overseas learners to be funded if “the learner is studying in a Realm country (namely, Tokelau, the Cook Islands, or Niue) in 2026 and is enrolled in a programme that was funded under this funding mechanism in 2025 or earlier”.

English Language Teaching (ELT)

Updated funding rates.
Added charter schools to the list of eligible TEOs.
Clarified that the purpose of the ELT Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund (ELT ILN) is to increase opportunities for adults, particularly migrants and refugees, to engage in English literacy and numeracy learning.
Clarified the purpose of the ELT Refugee English Fund to better reflect the intent of raising learners’ English literacy and numeracy skills to help them enter employment or undertake their choice of vocational or degree-level education.
Clarified that there aren’t two different groups of learners progressing through the fund by replacing the term “learners” with “them” in the purpose section.
Clarified that programmes funded by ELT ILN must have numeracy outcomes.
Clarified that learners funded by ELT ILN must have low numeracy skills (as well as low English language and/or literacy skills).
Clarified that the hour intensity of ELT ILN is per learner.

Gateway

Replaced the term “TEOs” with “schools” to better reflect the fund’s intent and use.
Clarified that the eligible students in Gateway will achieve, on average, 20 credits towards qualifications in either NCEA or another qualification on the NZQCF.
Expanded the eligibility for programmes funded under Gateway to include standalone micro-credentials. This change will allow learners to access a wider range of programmes and align Gateway with changes to the wider tertiary education system by recognising the value of standalone micro-credentials.

Literacy and Numeracy Provision

Updated funding rates.
Added charter schools to the list of TEOs eligible for Intensive Literacy and Numeracy and Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WLN) funding.
Added a new clause to allow learners, whose disability represents exceptional circumstances that prevent them from being assessed using the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool, to still be eligible for funding under this fund.
Added a new clause allowing synchronous online delivery where this is in the best interest of the learner/s.
Added “enabling access to education and the TEO’s capability to deliver effectively” as a consideration for online synchronous delivery.
Clarified that TEC approvals for asynchronous delivery are valid for multiple years unless revoked.
Added the ability for the TEC to revoke approval for asynchronous delivery.
Removed the following from disqualifying circumstances for learner eligibility for the WLN Fund:

Enrolled in a programme or micro-credential at Level 4 or above on the NZQCF
Enrolled in a New Zealand Apprenticeship.

Added that the prior written approval of NZQA is necessary to subcontract where the TEO is quality assured by NZQA.

Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT)

Added micro-credentials to the list of provider-based delivery eligible for fee top-ups under this fund.

Youth Guarantee

Updated funding rates.
Added charter schools to the list of eligible TEOs.
Added that providers may be funded to deliver the NCEA literacy and numeracy co-requisite standards under the Youth Guarantee fund.
Added that the delivery of the NCEA literacy and numeracy co-requisites standards is exempt from the 2.5 EFTS limit set on eligible learners; and that the TEC may specify exemptions to this limit.
Added the NCEA literacy and numeracy co-requisite standards to eligible programmes.
Added a new clause allowing synchronous online delivery where this is in the best interest of the learner/s.
Added “enabling access to education and the TEO’s capability to deliver effectively” as a consideration for online synchronous delivery.
Clarified that TEC approvals for asynchronous delivery are valid for multiple years unless revoked.
Added the ability for the TEC to revoke approval for asynchronous delivery.
Replaced references to “organisations” with “tertiary education organisations (TEOs)”.

MIL OSI

Vocational education and training redesign updates

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated 9 October 2025

Vocational education and training (VET) in New Zealand is changing. You’ll find regular updates on these changes here.

VET remains an important part of our education and training environment with over 250,000 people participating, whether at a polytechnic or in work-based learning. You’ll find the links to our regular updates below.
Sign up for updates on vocational education and training.
Updates

MIL OSI

Galaxy Macau™ Presents – Galaxy Music Gala: Sumi Jo – Mad for Love Sumi Jo’s Enchanting Macau Debut An Operatic Prelude to the New Year

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: Media Outreach

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – Galaxy Macau™ Integrated Resort is delighted to present an evening of operatic splendour with “Galaxy Macau™ Presents – Galaxy Music Gala: Sumi Jo – Mad for Love” as internationally acclaimed South Korean soprano Sumi Jo makes her long-awaited Macau debut at 17:00 on December 28 at Auditorium of the Galaxy International Convention Center (GICC). Tickets will be available from 12:00, October 14 through Galaxy Ticketing and Macau Ticket.

As Macau prepares to bid farewell to the year, “Galaxy Macau™ Presents – Galaxy Music Gala: Sumi Jo – Mad for Love” offers a soul-stirring celebration of love, passion and musical artistry. This exclusive pre-New Year concert invites audiences to savour the emotional richness of opera, with a repertoire that explores the many facets of love – from longing and anticipation to joy and devotion – through the timeless classics by Donizetti, Bellini, Strauss and more.

Grammy Award-winning soprano Sumi Jo, hailed as one of the most celebrated voices of her generation, has graced the stages of La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera. A UNESCO Artist for Peace, recipient of Korea’s Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit and Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, she has released more than 50 recordings and earned global acclaim as a best-selling classical artist.

Grammy Award-winning soprano Sumi Jo – hailed as one of the most celebrated voices of her generation – has graced the stages of La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Metropolitan Opera. A UNESCO Artist for Peace, recipient of Korea’s Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, and Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, she has released more than 50 recordings and enjoys worldwide acclaim as one of the best-selling classical artists of all time.

Joining Sumi Jo in concert are baritone Wang Yun-Peng — Operalia laureate and Metropolitan Opera regular, praised for his elegant phrasing and dramatic instinct — and pianist Andrey Vinichenko, a Gold Medallist at the Osaka International Music Competition, known for his international solo and chamber performances.

Joining her in concert are baritone Wang Yun-Peng, Operalia laureate and Metropolitan Opera regular, praised for his elegant phrasing and dramatic instinct, and pianist Andrey Vinichenko, Gold Medallist at the Osaka International Music Competition, renowned for his international solo and chamber performances.

This one-night-only performance is more than a concert – it is a celebration of eternal romance and musical excellence, presented in one of Macau’s most sophisticated venues. Mad for Love promises to be a highlight of the festive season, offering music lovers a rare opportunity to experience world-class opera in an intimate and acoustically refined setting.

Tickets for Galaxy Macau™ Presents – Galaxy Music Gala: Sumi Jo – Mad for Love” will go on sale at 12:00 on October 14 through Galaxy Ticketing and Macau Ticket.

Galaxy Macau™ Presents – Galaxy Music Gala: Sumi Jo – Mad for Love

Time: December 28, 2025
Venue: Galaxy Auditorium, 2/F, Galaxy International Convention Center
Ticket category and price: MOP/HKD 1288 / 888 / 688 / 488

*To be determined by ticketing platforms
Ticket sales date: From 12:00, October 14, 2025 (Tuesday)
Ticketing channels: Galaxy Ticketing and Macau Ticket

Crafted to the world’s highest performance standards, the 620-seat Galaxy Auditorium boasts state-of-the-art audio-visual systems and cutting-edge acoustics. It offers an exceptional setting for keynote addresses, opening ceremonies, cultural showcases, musical performances, and product unveilings.

Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

From Macao to Millions: CreatorWeek 2025 Connects the Global Creator Ecosystem

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: Media Outreach

Taking place in Macao in October, Asia’s premier Creator festival offers unparalleled access and opportunities in the booming creator economy.

MACAO SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 October 2025 – CreatorWeek, the experiential festival celebrating the global creator economy by blending business, fan engagement, entertainment, and brand activations, is proud to announce its inaugural event in Macao from October 24-28, 2025. This landmark festival, held by award-winning event producers Branded, alongside the Macao Government Tourism Office and collaborative partner Adbeyond Group (Macau) Limited, will serve as a vital gateway to the booming Greater China market and beyond.

CreatorWeek Macao will host over 180 creators and over 40 industry leaders, offering unparalleled access to the greater China digital ecosystem. Attendees will connect with leading Chinese media platforms, and collaborate with influential Chinese creators. The Creator Academy will provide essential knowledge and strategies for success in the Chinese market, covering content localisation, cultural nuances, and monetisation models.

The event will feature an exciting lineup of global creators enjoying hundreds of millions of followers and billions of views, including Stoke Twins, Alan Chikin Chow, Merrick Hanna, Sean Does Magic, Jordan Matter, Austin Sprinz, Berywam, Roce Ordoñez, Cam Casey, 老王在中国, Ian Boggs, Charly Jordan, Michelle Kennelly, Oliver Cronin, Steven He, alongside a host of local talent.

Attendees will also gain insights from industry leaders driving the creator economy, sharing insights on digital media, platform growth, and the future of content creation, such as

  • Nader Filsoof. Partner, Talent Manager, Underscore Talent
  • Eyal Baumel, CEO, Flywheel
  • Bing Chen, CEO & Co-Founder, Gold House
  • Ben Wong, CMO, Google Greater China, Google
  • Drew Baldwin, CEO, Tubefilter
  • James Louderback, Editor and CEO, Inside the Creator LLC
  • Benny Chu, Head of Industry, Greater China, Meta
  • Kevin Huang, Chief Operating Officer, South China Morning Post
  • Scarlett Li, CEO and Founder, Zebra Labs
  • Pete DiGiovanni, Head of Business Operations, Knife Drop Studios
  • Melissa Laurie, CEO, Oysterly Media@
  • Jaeyoon Ko, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Adoba
  • Saket Jha Saurabh, Director & Head, Content & AR Partnerships, Snap Inc.
  • Dylan Harari, CEO at FanFix | Global Head of Creators at SuperOrdinary
  • Diogo Martins, Bloomr.SG Lead (Talenthub), Mediacorp
  • Luke Hale, Head of Media, Mark Rober
  • Fred Chong, Founder and CEO, WebTVAsia
  • And many more…

“Macao is the ideal location for CreatorWeek,” said Jasper Donat, CEO and Co-Founder of Branded. “Its unique blend of culture, vibrant entertainment, and geographical location makes it a strategic entry point to Asia Pacific, including some of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets.”

CreatorWeek is delighted to partner with the Macao Government Tourism Office to bring this landmark event to the city. CreatorWeek Macao will not only showcase Macao’s unique charm and vibrant culture to a global audience, but also solidify the Special Administrative Region’s position as a vital gateway for international creators looking to connect with the dynamic Chinese market.

The five-day experience will open with an exclusive party for creators, brands, and speakers—an intimate evening designed to spark meaningful connections and set the tone for the week ahead.

The spotlight then shifts to the CreatorWeek Live, a unique music festival where audiences can enjoy two electrifying days of live performances by 20 international artists. Open to all, the festival invites everyone to celebrate creativity and discover fresh global sounds.

Fan Meet & Greet

Adding to the festival excitement, selected creators will host exclusive fan meet-and-greet sessions—a rare opportunity for fans to interact one-on-one with their favourite creators. These intimate sessions allow creators to connect directly with their community and give fans a memorable, personal experience.

Wellness Workshops

Wellness is trending globally, and CreatorWeek highlights this with exclusive, intimate wellness workshops led by top creators in the space. Attendees will gain hands-on tips and insights on fitness, mindfulness, and holistic wellbeing.

Admission is free, but spots are limited—fans are encouraged to register early to secure their place.

The excitement builds to a finale with the B2B focussed CreatorWeek Conference & Academy, a curated topic offering rare access to the leading voices of the global creator economy. Through panel discussions and dialogue , attendees will gain insider perspectives on platform innovation, content monetisation, brand partnerships, and the future of creator-led entertainment. Limited access is available by invitation ensuring an exclusive setting for high-level networking and knowledge exchange.

Karin Wan, CEO of Adbeyond Group (Macau) Limited, said, “International content creation is becoming increasingly multicultural, with creators seeking to understand both Western and Asian digital landscapes. CreatorWeek Macao 2025 facilitates this cultural exchange, offering global creators insights into diverse media platforms while providing Asian creators pathways to international markets.”

CreatorWeek Macao is supported by six of Macao’s top hotels and resorts, including MGM, Sands China Limited, Galaxy Macau™ Integrated Resort, Wynn Resorts Macau, SJM Resorts, S.A. and Melco Resorts & Entertainment, the first five of which will serve as event venues. The festival builds on the success of CreatorWeek Singapore 2024, which generated over 500 million Instagram reel views and welcomed over 10,000 attendees.

For more information, visit www.creatorweek.live.

Hashtag: #CREATORWEEK #CWMacao #CreatorWeekMacao2025

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

1...678...1,155Page 7 of 1,155
© Copyright 2024 - LiveNews.co.nz a Multimedia Investments Ltd site